PUNI: In Every Weaves of Frond Leaves: Difference between revisions

*Palm weaving, or Puni, originated in Malolos, Bulacan. The art of Puni is about folding, twisting, plaiting, and weaving fresh or dried coconut fronds (leaves of the coconut tree). The fresh coconut frond is the most common material used in making puni. Puni took many forms: shapes, toys, baskets, and decorations.

Even before the colonizers came, early Filipinos were already doing Puni. Years ago, Puni was considered one of the most popular types of art in Bulacan. In times when electronic devices were not popular among people, doing puni became people's entertainment; it became a simple toy that they could easily make. It also became popular because materials like coconut fronds were very easy to find, primarily seen in the backyard or farming fields. By playing with and folding these materials, they can make different styles of things and animals, including balls, birds, fish, whistles, grasshoppers, shrimp, crabs, butterflies, bracelets, rings, crowns, and many more.

Puni is present on occasions like christenings, weddings, and birthdays. Puni comes as a decoration. Even at festivals, Puni is also part of the decorations in the church. When festivals happen, almost all of the houses are decorated in Puni. When the Lenten Season is about to come, a particular Linggo de Ramos or Palm Sunday, the "Palaspas," is an art of puni that plays an integral part in the ceremony and would be a decoration often seen on the doors.

As time passed, people slowly lost interest in doing Puni until it became a part of the Vanishing Traditional Arts (which includes Pagbatok and Folk Writing). But some remarkable people worked hard to keep it alive and to continue the generation of Puni.